Tapan Misra is an Indian scientist and aerospace engineer renowned for his significant contributions to the development of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology in India. Born in Balangir, Odisha, Misra received his early education in his hometown before pursuing an electrical engineering degree at the Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi. He joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1984 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a leading figure in the development and deployment of SAR systems for various Indian satellites.

Misra's expertise lies in the design and realization of complex SAR systems, which are crucial for Earth observation, disaster management, and strategic applications. He played a pivotal role in developing SAR technology for satellites like RISAT1 and RISAT2, significantly enhancing India's capabilities in remote sensing and allweather surveillance. His work enabled highresolution imaging of the Earth's surface, regardless of cloud cover or time of day, providing valuable data for agriculture, forestry, and urban planning.

Throughout his career at ISRO, Misra held several key positions, including Director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad. He was also an Associate Director at ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. His leadership and technical expertise were instrumental in guiding numerous projects and fostering innovation within ISRO.

Misra retired from ISRO in January 2019. Following his retirement, he alleged security breaches and attempted assassinations during his tenure at ISRO, claims that sparked considerable debate and scrutiny. Despite these controversies, Tapan Misra remains a respected figure in the Indian scientific community, recognized for his contributions to the advancement of space technology and Earth observation capabilities.